As Australia’s state governments haggle over new stadiums, New Zealand just put us to shame.
On Sunday, OneNZ Stadium in Christchurch hosted its first NRL game as the New Zealand Warriors claimed a 38-20 win over the North Queensland Cowboys to remain at the pointy end of the ladder.
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Outgoing NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was on hand to herald the first rugby league game at the venue, which was recently unveiled in time for the Super Rugby finals.
It’s fair to say OneNZ Stadium looks an absolute treat with a permanent roof letting in plenty of light as Kiwi fans packed in to modern grandstands, making themselves heard through the broadcast.
“If the spirit in this venue was big at the start of the game, it’s gone up several levels,” sideline reporter Niko Pajarillo said as the Warriors scored another try.
“It truly is a wall of sound. Add the acoustics of an indoor ground with a sold out crowd and the rowdiness of one of the most loyal fan bases in the NRL, it’s the perfect cocktail for an incredible atmosphere here in Christchurch.”
Commentator Matt Russell said: “Warriors fans waving, smiling. It’s been quite the atmosphere from before kick off as footy fans flock from the city centre of Christchurch into this sparkling, One New Zealand stadium.
“What an addition to the city it is.”
The new stadium puts New Zealand’s south island in the box seat to be awarded the NRL’s 20th team, with a fifth Queensland team looking less likely, according to reports this week.
Kayo Sports commentator Dan Ginnane said: “That scene in Christchurch was astonishing.”
Michael Ennis said: “At a time when the game is looking at expansion, gee didn’t Christchurch look good today.”
“The star of the show was the new stadium in Christchurch,” Matty Johns said on his Sunday Night show on Kayo Sports.
“It is unbelievable, insane. The Warriors lived up to it, they were fantastic.”
“Another team in New Zealand would be ideal, especially with the growth of the game there,” NRL boss Peter V’landys said recently.
“The Warriors have done such a great job over there that we wouldn’t want to cannibalise them, so the team would have to be down south.
“They’ve got a new stadium in Christchurch, so we’ll be going there and having a look at that in the next month or so.
“We’re doing so well in New Zealand at the moment.”
The sparkly new stadium in Christchurch opened in April, weeks ahead of schedule and under budget at $A536 million, a fact pointed out by Tasmanian devils CEO Brendon Gale on social media.
Construction for a $1.1 billion stadium with a roof at Hobart’s Macquarie Point was finally approved last year, but it’s not expected to host AFL games until 2031. The Tasmanian devils enter the AFL in 2028.
Meanwhile this week the Queensland government announced a major upgrade to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will only see around 1000 seats added to the venue.
Queensland premier David Crisafulli admitted the increase in capacity was modest but lauded a halo video screen and sky-high terrace beer garden to be introduced ahead of the Brisbane Olympics.